Balfour Beatty set to start £54m Middlewich Eastern Bypass

Balfour Beatty has received Notice to Proceed on the £54m Middlewich Eastern Bypass scheme for Cheshire East Council, marking a major step forward for the long-awaited infrastructure project.

Awarded via the SCAPE framework, the scheme will see the delivery of a new 2.5km single carriageway bypass to the east of Middlewich, aimed at easing congestion and improving journey reliability in and around the town centre.

The project includes two new major junctions, a highway bridge over the Trent and Mersey Canal, and a further bridge crossing the Sandbach–Northwich railway line. Integrated active travel infrastructure will also be delivered as part of the scheme.

Since being named preferred bidder, Balfour Beatty has worked closely with Cheshire East Council and key stakeholders to progress the detailed design, alongside Strategic Design Partner Jacobs UK. The contractor has also managed key interfaces with Network Rail and the Canal & River Trust.

Construction is set to begin in May 2026, with completion targeted for summer 2028. At peak, the project is expected to support around 150 jobs, including apprenticeship and graduate opportunities.

Once complete, the bypass will play a key role in unlocking capacity on the local road network and supporting future growth in the area.